Even though consoles are on the rise, many gamers still use PCs to enjoy their favorite video games. Some go for the FPS and others go with Strategy. Whatever category you are into, the enjoyment just intensifies when you share your gameplay with fellow gamers around the world. You may also need to record PC gameplay for other reasons, such as creating your own game walkthrough, showing off your skills to friends or even for professional purposes. Whatever the reason, you will need a screen recorder capable of recording high-quality video without affecting the gameplay. So, this article discusses some of the best software you can use to record your gameplay on PC. The recording, however, is quite similar for every tool.
1. Open Broadcaster Software (OBS)
OBS, an open-source, cross-platform and free streaming software, is undoubtedly one of the classic game recording programs. It’s the favorite tool for many gamers since it’s both free and versatile. OBS is the tool of choice for many gamers since it may be used to record gameplay and live stream it side by side. You don’t need to adjust any unusual settings; you must pick the source you wish to record such as your webcam, screen, etc. and start recording.
However, it has a learning curve, and you may need a little bit of practice to get used to it. OBS can record in MP4 and FLV formats and uses the GPU in your PC for high-quality streaming. It records at a 1:1 ratio, capturing what you see on your screen.
2. Mirillis Action!
Mirillis Action! is a feature-packed screen recorder that can be used to record gameplay and other activities on your PC. The software has an intuitive interface and can record in 4K Ultra HD resolution (3840×2160). It also offers real-time video editing and allows you to add annotations, watermarks, etc., to the recorded videos. You can also use the software to live stream your gameplay or other activity on popular platforms such as Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, etc. The only drawback of Action! is that it doesn’t have a free version and costs $29.95. But, considering the features it offers, the price is justified.
3. Dxtory
Dxtory is another excellent screen recorder for PC that offers many features. It’s been specifically designed for gamers and promises to offer lossless quality recording. The software can be controlled using hotkeys and has an in-built audio mixer. You can record from multiple sources simultaneously and even specify which part of the screen you want to record. One advantage that Dxtory has over other similar software is that it doesn’t slow down your PC while gaming or recording. This is because it makes use of the CPU cache for faster data processing. If you are looking for a screen recorder that doesn’t affect your PC’s performance, Dxtory is the one for you.
4. Bandicam
Bandicam is a screen recording software for Windows that can be used to record games, as well as other activities on your PC. The software claims to offer the ‘world’s best game recording’ and can record in 4K Ultra HD resolution (3840×2160). It also has an in-built video editor that can be used to edit recorded videos. Using the video editor, you can add annotations, watermarks, etc., to the videos. The free version of Bandicam places a watermark on the recorded videos. And while the software has no major drawbacks, some users have complained about the occasional lag while recording.
5. Xbox Game Bar
Xbox Game Bar is a tool that comes by default with Windows 10 and 11. If you are using either one of these Windows versions, recording your games doesn’t require another tool. With all the sweet benefits such as recording 4K content, enabling or disabling audio, and a bunch of other settings, the Game Bar will be your best bet if you do not want to use any third-party tools to capture your gameplay. The performance isn’t as great as the tools mentioned above, but still more than enough, given that the FPS is not too high in the game. So start recording games using Xbox Game Bar.
6. Fraps
Fraps is a highly popular game recording software for Windows that’s known for its simplicity. You won’t be bombarded with unnecessary settings and configuration pages like other recording programs; in Fraps, you simply go to the “Movies” section and start recording. However, Fraps gives you a few essential options: you can set the video capture frame rate manually, and it can go from 30 to 120 FPS based on your preferences. There is also an option to enter a custom FPS value, where you can set the frame rate below 30 if you wanted to.
7. Nvidia GeForce Experience
You’ve probably been prompted to download GeForce Experience if you have an Nvidia GPU. Apart from updating your Nvidia drivers, the software includes Nvidia’s Shadowplay functionality, allowing you to record games effortlessly. One of ShadowPlay’s greatest features is that it utilizes the GPU (Nvenc) to encode video, so there’s no need for a lot of CPU power. The program can record at the same resolution as your display, so your videos will be there whatever screen you have. If you have an Nvidia graphics card, GeForce Experience is a must-have try since it is completely free and often works quite well for casual game recording.
8. Gamecaster
Gamecaster is one of the simplest recording tools available that still packs a punch. Aside from streaming, the software can be used to record your gameplay in high quality with hardly any configuration required on your part. You can start recording at the click of a button, and Gamecaster will take care of the rest. Not only can you use features such as picture-in-picture mode, watermarks, video annotations, and social media integration, with Gamecaster, you can also edit videos easily with the built-in video editor. Plus, it’s a breeze to manage all recorded videos and share them quickly and efficiently.
9. Movavi Screen Recorder
Movavi’s new screen recorder captures and edits screens well and boasts a modern user interface and easier navigation- which users will greatly appreciate. With this recorder, you can record the screen’s with a resolution of up to 4K. Furthermore, you can sync webcam footage and microphone voice-over with an ongoing screen recording, which Movavi worked hard on including in this product. In addition, you may capture a portion of the screen in the windowed mode.
10. D3DGear
D3DGear does not look like much, but it is a very handy tool. The game recording software is designed to be easy to use with no special setup required. You can install it and start recording your gameplay footage with only a few clicks. In addition to being lightweight, it has built-in compression capabilities that will compress all videos recorded using the software. Because the videos are compressed in real-time, you can capture a video even if you have less space on the drive. Despite its compact form, it also uses GPU acceleration to put pressure on the GPU rather than the CPU improving the recording quality. The software automatically identifies and links games; all you have to do is press the hotkey to begin or stop recording.
11. ManyCam
If you live stream or record regularly, ManyCam is a helpful tool to get stuff done. In addition to effortlessly recording your gameplay, it also supports features like automatic bit rate settings and 3D masks and filters. If you’re looking for something more supported than other streaming software options, give ManyCam a try – especially because it’s free. You can download ManyCam for free, but you must eventually purchase a license. By default, ManyCam uses a subscription business model, although you may also acquire a lifetime license if that isn’t what you want.